pe‧tro‧le‧um /pəˈtrəʊliəm, pɪˈtrəʊliəm $ -ˈtroʊ-/
noun [uncountable][
Date: 1500-1600;
Language: Medieval Latin;
Origin: petroleum, from Latin petr- (from Greek petra 'rock') + oleum ( ⇒ oil1)]
oil that is obtained from below the surface of the Earth and is used to make petrol,
paraffin, and various chemical substances:
petroleum-based products [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲